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A nice editorial by Larry Dale Keeling this morning. As usual, he didn't mince words regarding the problems surrounding what he calls the "boy governor" and merit system investigation. I've printed an excerpt. I invite you to check out the column:

Fletcher plan: Break laws, lessen penalties

FRANKFORT - When Gov. Ernie Fletcher appointed a panel to study the state merit system back in July, it was obvious he expected it to provide him political cover as he tried to cope with a criminal investigation of hiring practices in his administration.

After a round of pardons drove his re-election numbers down into the teens and a round of firings ended with Republican Party leaders publicly thumbing their noses at him, it might be too late for the Cover EF's Posterior Task Force to fulfill that mission.

But you have to give some of its members credit for still trying.

Response

Keeling generally calls it like it is. Fletcher's political future looks pretty dim. He's only the second governor in Kentucky history with an opportunity to be re-elected and he probably won't be because it's safe to say some people will be looking to pick him off in 2007 primary. With any luck, the Democrats can get it together because Fletcher is ripe but McConnell isn't going to give up without a fight. Fighting is what he's best at.